Oregon Issues Urgent ByHeart Formula Alert After Babies Sickened in Growing National Botulism Outbreak

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) urged families to stop using ByHeart formula yesterday to reduce the risk of infant botulism while the investigation into the current national outbreak continues. Two cases have been tied to the company’s products in Oregon.

OHA Issues ByHeart Infant Formula Botulism Alert

State agencies are tracking botulism cases linked to the nationally recalled infant formula ByHeart, including two cases of infection in Oregon, but in the meantime, health officials say there are ways families can reduce their babies’ exposure to the infant botulism outbreak.

OHA and the Oregon Department of Agriculture are collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as public health and food safety officials from other states, to investigate the multi-state outbreak linked to ByHeart powdered infant formula.

ByHeart has voluntarily recalled its products and will remain off store shelves until federal, state, and local health agencies complete their investigations. Concerns were raised that the product may still be on families’ shelves. OHA and ODA urge people to:

• Stop using any ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.
• Label any leftover formula that your infant was fed as “DO NOT USE” and keep the container stored in a safe spot for at least a month in case your infant develops symptoms and the product needs to be tested. If no symptoms appear after a month, throw away the leftover formula.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have come into contact with the formula with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. Special soaps or detergents are not needed.
• If your baby has consumed recalled formula, it is essential to recognize that most infants who have consumed the formula have not become sick. Watch infants for progressive symptoms, as they may take up to a month to appear. Testing for botulism is not available for infants without symptoms.

While rare, infant botulism can happen when a baby swallows Clostridium botulinum spores, commonly found in the environment, including soil, dust, and honey, that grow in the gut and make toxin.

Nationally, there have been 23 cases of infant botulism from 13 states identified in connection with the outbreak. Ill infants have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths.

Infant botulism often starts with constipation and progresses to difficulty feeding, a weak and altered cry, and loss of muscle tone. Severe cases require hospitalization for specialized treatment.

Seek immediate medical care if your infant develops any of these symptoms:

• Poor feeding, with loss of interest in feeding for at least six hours or a weaker suck
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loss of head control
• Decreased facial expression